The TCU Horned Frogs will face their biggest non-conference test of the season right off the bat on the road in Minneapolis. TCU came within 3 points last year of making the College Football Playoffs. The 61-58 loss to Baylor did them in. They are once again loaded on offense under head coach Gary Patterson. They have 10 starters back on offense including Heisman candidate QB Trevone Boykin. He threw for 3,901 yards last year and 33 touchdowns. He also ran for another 850 with 8 TD’s. He could very well become the all-time leading passer in TCU history this year surpassing Andy Dalton. TCU was 11-2 ATS last year including 4-0 vs. non-conference opponents.

The Golden Gophers enjoyed their second straight 8-5 season under head coach Jerry Kill, but again fell short in their Bowl game falling 33-17 to Missouri. Minnesota loses a couple of key offenses pieces this year. Leading rusher David Cobb (1,675 yards) is gone as are 4 of their top 5 wide receivers. QB Mitch Leidner is back under center for his Junior season. He only completed 51% of his passes for 1,798 yards, 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He did run for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Gophers have won 9 straight home games against non-conference opponents, but this will be by far the best team they’ve faced in that stretch.

TCU won this contest last year 30-7 in Forth Worth as 16 point favorites. Jerry Kill’s teams do pretty well against the spread against ranked teams. Over the last 2 years, the Gophers are 6-1 ATS against ranked opponents, but I just don’t think they have enough weapons to keep up with TCU tonight.